Since it had been quite a while (about one or two years) since I last went backpacking, as soon as I bought my flight ticket to Sri Lanka, I started doing my homework—thinking about what I could do in nine days. Every country has its own characteristics and culture. Sri Lanka is most famous, of course, for Ceylon tea, and then for its scenic train rides along the coast. That’s all I knew before departure—admittedly superficial—but that’s exactly why you go traveling. The whole point is to discover more unknown things.
After visiting Sri Lanka, I’ve put together a simple list of things I think are must-dos. Everyone’s list will be different—for example, I didn’t go wildlife spotting or spend time exploring Colombo—but below are just some of the things I found really worthwhile and enriching in Sri Lanka.
1．Hiking
Before coming to Sri Lanka, I had no idea there were so many hiking routes here. To be more precise, many attractions require you to hike to reach them. (Remember to pack hiking shoes when preparing your luggage!)
Due to heavy rain, we gave up on climbing Adam’s Peak and instead hiked up the much easier Little Adam’s Peak and went hiking in Horton Plains. The views were breathtaking—we didn’t even have to climb very high to enjoy vast, stunning mountain landscapes. If you’re going in November, I’d recommend scheduling your hike before 10 a.m., because by 11 or 12, fog starts to roll in and you won’t be able to see anything.
Little Adam's Peak, Ella:
Horton Plains:
2．Try Local Snacks
Locals say the snacks are super spicy. Being a spice lover, I eagerly tried all kinds of them. In the end, I found out the spiciness here is really intense—you taste the pure heat of the chilies. There are lots of savory fried snacks available, which you can buy at train stations, street stalls, or restaurants. They’re mostly made with meat, spices, chilies, and dough. Aside from being dry and spicy, I thought the flavors were actually pretty good.
Local fruits are also very cheap, and you’ll find plenty of fruit vendors along the road. The ones I ate most often were plantains and mangoes—both super affordable and delicious.
3．Experience the Local Culture
Cultural scenery can be described as the everyday life shaped by the local culture and people. To experience it, you can chat with locals, smile, observe how they live, or ride the same transportation they use. As long as you gain something from it, that’s your way of experiencing the local culture.
4．Visit Tea Plantations
Ceylon tea is so famous that visiting a tea factory was already on my bucket list. But the best part was seeing the real tea pluckers going about their daily lives and work.
5．Historical Sites
Sri Lanka is full of ancient sites—the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and Dambulla Cave Temple, to name just a few.
6．Relax on the Beach
The beauty of an island nation is that it’s surrounded by sea. Whenever I visit a new country, I love to check out the ocean. And the southern beaches of Sri Lanka are so clean and clear—you absolutely have to go. I wouldn’t mind spending a whole day just chilling by the sea.
7．Ride the Train
Sri Lanka has many train routes, but the most worthwhile are those that pass through tea plantations and along the coast.
Listening to the train whistle, the rush of wind as the train speeds by, and the rhythmic clacking of wheels on the tracks can all be sources of pure satisfaction. Travel is like that—even if the journey is tough or exhausting, you’re still willing to spend money and time on it, because the sense of fulfillment you get is unique and something you can’t find back home.
